terry_tr6
Member
here in Fla they were sold as clackers (klackers?) eventually got banned due to injuries(and the noise being super annoying)
Chestnut trees coming soon!
- Thread starter wetdog1911
- Start date
It's amazing how many destructive organisms of one type or another from China have wreacked havoc here.
How about those stink bugs...! Zebra mussels. Kudzu. Those flying fish things. Consumer electronics with surveillance devices built in. The list goes on...
The Real Thing
We need this. Late 19th Century. Courtesy USDA at What it Takes to Bring Back the Near Mythical American Chestnut Trees | USDA This is NOT a Chinese Chestnut
We need this. Late 19th Century. Courtesy USDA at What it Takes to Bring Back the Near Mythical American Chestnut Trees | USDA This is NOT a Chinese Chestnut
Attachments
The grandfather of a college friend from Pennsylvania built a hunting camp from Chestnut when the blight went through. It was a log cabin, the entire interior, flooring, walls, doors, cabinets, built-in beds were all made of Chestnut, it was beautiful.
OP
wetdog1911
Member
So, are these new chestnuts vaccinated against the blight?I hope so. What a recovery this could be. Unfortunately, there are no hardwoods in my neck of the woods. We have all the lodgepole me and mother nature can burn in this lifetime. But, I would love to see the original hardwoods recover if they can.
No, they aren't vaccinated, but, it's a long story. VERY short version, in the very early 50s a healthy American Chestnut tree was found in a grove of dead/dying chestnuts by a nut collector. He tried infecting it for several years with no effect on the tree. He then sent grafts/cuttings to Dr. Robert Dunston of NC, a respected breeder who worked with it for over 10 years breeding it to resistant Chinese varieties and back on the resistant American (they take 3-5 years to flower), till he got the large, tasty nut that was closest to the American nut. Then planted a grove of these (500 trees), for seed production. All this took until the mid 80's or so and moved to Alachua, Fl where Chestnut Hill is located. I used to live in Alachua county in N Central Fl and it's beautiful. The tree is so unique, they actually got a patent on it. You really need to read the history @Chestnut Hill Nursery as I'm trying to cram over 40 years effort into a few lines. LOL But, anyway the Dunston chestnut was born.
Most people recc 5' grow tubes to protect them from deer, or horses if they are 'in the wild'. The young trees seem to be quite tasty to critters till they get about that size.
By the way, they also have other fruit/nut trees that are wildlife attractors. There is a wealth of information on their web site.
Rob
OP
wetdog1911
Member
Well, it WAS ~1910, and we brought them in. The NY Botanical Society IIRC. But, I know what you mean.
Rob
I come across the occasional American Chestnut tree while hunting the ridges here in south central Pa. They are always small threes, less than 6" diameter. Often they are torn up by bears going after the nuts. It is my understanding that most of these trees are regrowth from old stumps, not seedlings, and usually die out from the blight or other causes within a few years.
The old timers relate that in the spring, the ridges looked like they were covered with snow, due the the blossoming chestnuts.
There is a research nursery in Adams county Pa that has been working on breeding blight resistant strains. Home — Adams County Nursery
There is hope. I should get a few for up at the cabin.
John
The old timers relate that in the spring, the ridges looked like they were covered with snow, due the the blossoming chestnuts.
There is a research nursery in Adams county Pa that has been working on breeding blight resistant strains. Home — Adams County Nursery
There is hope. I should get a few for up at the cabin.
John
Notes from a naturalist (me):
Kudzu is from Japan.
American chestnut, C. dentata, will grow from seed, and survive long enough to mature and produce fruit. The blight usually gets them before they get very big, usually not more than 25'.
Horse chestnut is so called because of its appearance; it is not even in the same family.
There have been ongoing efforts to cross breed Chinese and American chestnuts, as the Chinese is resistant to the blight.
Chestnut wood is extremely durable.
There are two chestnuts at my golf course. They are prolific in fruit production. Being 20-25' high, I don't expect them to survive much longer.
Castanea dentata (American Chestnut, Chestnut) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
'Due to its susceptibility to blight, this tree is not recommended for use in the home landscape. Other varieties that do not have these issues can be chosen for use as shade trees.'
Kudzu is from Japan.
American chestnut, C. dentata, will grow from seed, and survive long enough to mature and produce fruit. The blight usually gets them before they get very big, usually not more than 25'.
Horse chestnut is so called because of its appearance; it is not even in the same family.
There have been ongoing efforts to cross breed Chinese and American chestnuts, as the Chinese is resistant to the blight.
Chestnut wood is extremely durable.
There are two chestnuts at my golf course. They are prolific in fruit production. Being 20-25' high, I don't expect them to survive much longer.
Castanea dentata (American Chestnut, Chestnut) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
'Due to its susceptibility to blight, this tree is not recommended for use in the home landscape. Other varieties that do not have these issues can be chosen for use as shade trees.'
